Biosecurity Basics and Beyond: Tools to Defend Your Flock

Webinar Transcript – March 28, 2019

ANDY SCHNEIDER: Hello, everyone, and thank you for 

joining the webinar. We are excited to be celebrating Bird Health 

Awareness Week. This is part of the USDA's Defend Your Flock 

campaign, promoting awareness about the importance of 

biosecurity and ways to prevent the spread of infectious poultry 

diseases. We want to help you get your flocks ready for spring 

with the expanded biosecurity resources. I'm Andy Schneider, 

known to most as the Chicken Whisperer. 

Today I'm joined by Doctor Joanna Quinn and Doctor Wood 

Nicholson of the USDA and Doctor Megin Nichols of the Center 

for Disease Control. Our goal today is to share tips for adding 

and replacing birds, when you are just starting out raising poultry 

or have years of experience, practicing good biosecurity is the 

best way to keep flocks disease free.

Before we get started, we want to let you know that closed 

captions are available for this program. Type the URL that you 

see into your browser. You can use this link at any time during 

the program.

>> Now we will take a few minutes to introduce ourselves. 

I'm Andy Schneider, editor in chief the Chicken Whisperer, 

national spokesperson person for the USDA APHIS avian health 
program, and author of the Chicken Whisperer's guide to keeping 

chickens, and host of the basically yard poultry with the Chicken 

Whisperer, Web radio show and Podcast. Doctor Quinn?

DR. QUINN: Thanks, Andy. I'm a veterinary medical officer 

working with USDA. My position is a poultry health specialist, 

and I work in District I, which is located in the eastern United 

States. My educational background is in poultry and avian 

medicine. In my position, I serve as a resource on poultry health 

issues, working with the State agriculture departments, the 

commercial poultry industry, and with small flock owners.

My focus is on avian influenza and disease prevention 

through biosecurity. I'm happy to be with you today.

ANDY SCHNEIDER: Thank you, Doctor Quinn, Doctor 

Wood, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

DR. WOOD: Thanks, Andy. I'm a poultry specialist 

veterinary medical officer with USDA. And I also work with 

Doctor Quinn on the east coast. My role with USDA is serving as 

a resource, mainly with poultry issues and avian influenza 

surveillance, especially with the live bird marketing system, 

commercial industry and backyard poultry groups. My areas of 

interest include poultry, diseases that affect animals and people, 

and outreach education. I'm happy to be with you today.

ANDY SCHNEIDER: Thank you, Doctor Wood. Doctor 

Nichols, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
DR. NICHOLS: Hello. My name is Megin Nichols, I'm a 

public health veterinary in the division of food borne, water borne 

and environmental diseases at the Center for Disease Control. I 

currently work on multi-state outbreaks of Salmonella and e-coli 

resulting from exposure to animals and pet products. Every year 

CDC investigates outbreaks of Salmonella illnesses in people 

linked to backyard poultry. I'm happy to be here today and to 

represent the CDC and to participate in the webinar. Back to 

you, Andy.

ANDY SCHNEIDER: Thank you, our goal today is to provide 

information about keeping birds healthy that all flock owners can 

use, from people who raise chickens and other breeds in their 

backyards, to bird lovers who participate in shows and fairs, to 

commercial enterprises that raise the poultry and eggs that we 

consume. 

We will cover guidance for adding or replacing poultry, 

important biosecurity practices for spring, and recognizing signs 

of disease and using APHIS and CDC resources. If you have 

questions, feel free to submit them by clicking the Q&A button 

located at the bottom of your screen. APHIS and CDC 

veterinarians will answer all questions after the webinar has 

concluded. 

The Q&A will be posted along with the recording of this 

webinar on the APHIS website. Be sure to follow the campaign 
on FaceBook and Twitter to find out when the recording is 

available. We will share those on-line des nations at the end of 

the webinar.

While chicks can be purchased from some places year-round, 

many people look to start or flow their flock in the spring. In 

spring, February through June, you can find the broadest 

selection of breeds from breeders and hatcheries, whether you 

are expanding your flock or starting off for the first time, we will 

share resources and pointers throughout this webinar to help you 

begin or add to your flock.

The best way to keep your flock disease free is to start out 

with healthy birds. Dr. Wood, please tell us about the National 

Poultry Improvement Plan, the updated guidance for flock owners 

who plan to start or add to their flocks this spring and how 

biosecurity fits into the process. 

DR. WOOD: Thanks, Andy. The National Poultry 

Improvement Plan, known as NPIP, is a voluntary cooperative 

federal-state-industry program established over 80 years ago 

aimed at improving poultry health. The NPIP was originally 

established to eradicate a disease called Salmonella pullorum, 

which was causing 80 percent mortality in baby chicks. Today 

we have eradicated Salmonella pullorum in the commercial 

poultry industry. With such success in eradicating pullorum 

disease, the NPIP was extended to include testing and monitoring 
and surveillance for additional poultry diseases that cause illness 

such as avian mycoplasmas, avian influenza, and other types of 

Salmonella.

The NPIP has three main objectives: First, the cooperation 

of the industry, state, and federal government is essential to 

improve poultry and poultry products as a country by promoting 

new diagnostic technology. Second, NPIP programs examine 

the health status of the commercial poultry industry, such as broil 

letters, Turkeys and egg laying birds, by monitoring their primary 

and multiplying breeding stock.

Finally, the NPIP establishes the standard operating 

procedures for sample collection, digs tic tests performed, and the 

laboratory protocols for conducting tests under the NPIP. 

Participation in the NPIP is voluntary, and currently all 50 US 

states participate as well as Washington, D.C. and one US 

territory, Puerto Rico. The NPIP is very proud to be supported by 

so many poultry organizations and associations. You can see 

some of them listed here on this slide. The NPIP works well with 

and represents all sectors of the poultry industry. No one is left 

out.

ANDY SCHNEIDER: Thank you for the overview, Doctor 

Wood. Doctor Quinn, please tell us how backyard and 

commercial growers can use the services and resources available 

through the NPIP.
DR. JOANNA QUINN: The NPIP offers numerous benefits. 

Some of the most significant advantages to being an NPIP 

participant include being proactive in protecting the health of your 

flock through voluntary monitoring and testing; preventing vertical 

transmission of disease from hen to chick; knowing that you have 

purchased your birds from NPIP participating flocks that have met 

very specific disease prevention conditions; enjoying the ability to 

move your flock are across state lines without additional 

Salmonella and AI testing; minimizing the risk of bringing 

Salmonella contaminated eggs into your home; having access to 

best management practices; and the big benefit is that you can 

receive up to 100 percent indemnification if your birds are 

destroyed due to avian influenza.

A new addition to the NPIP that I would like to highlight is the 

NPIP biosecurity principles program. This program contains the 

best management practices and principles and is designed to 

prevent the introduction and spread of any type of infectious 

disease.

Large commercial and small backyard poultry operations can 

take these biosecurity principles and apply them by developing a 

site-specific plan for their operation.

These biosecurity principles include an auditing tool for the 

commercial operations to ensure their plans are designed 

appropriately to prevent the introduction and transmission of 
disease.

It's important to remember that what you do with your flocks 

can affect all flocks, even those that are miles away. In order to 

prevent the spread of disease, the NPIP has identified 14 

biosecurity principles for raising poultry. Implementing stronger 

biosecurity practices encompasses three main areas of focus: 

First, creating structural barriers and maintaining them. For 

example, keeping your chickens and coop within a fenced run. 

Second, instituting operating procedures and policies that 

reinforce good biosecurity. And third, ensuring that biosecurity is 

an every day, every time effort.

USDA has begun the full roll out of communicating the 14 

NPIP biosecurity principles to all growers. This expansion began 

in the fall with guidance on three of the 14 principles. First, 

actions relating to personnel, meaning anyone who comes in 

contact with your flocks. Second, biosecurity practices related to 

preventing disease resulting from contact with wild birds, rodents, 

and insects. And the third point USDA provided expanded 

guidance on for all growers related to preventing the spread of 

disease through the use of vehicles and equipment. USDA will 

continue to provide guidance on additional principles through 

2020. Another biosecurity principle discusses replacement 

poultry. We are introducing guidance for this principle today. 

Replacement poultry are when any birds are added to a flock. 
Starting out with healthy poultry is the best way to keep flocks 

safe from disease.

You can bring disease to your flock by adding infected or 

diseased birds to a flock. It's important to remember that birds, 

even new born chicks, or ducklings, can carry disease and germs, 

even when those birds appear healthy. Back to you, Andy.

ANDY SCHNEIDER: Thank you, Joanna. The most 

important thing to remember about the NPIP replacement poultry 

principle is to only purchase poultry or eggs from breeders, 

hatcheries, and or dealers that participate in the NPIP program. 

If you are starting or adding to a backyard or exhibition flock 

before buying, make sure that the poultry you purchase have 

been tested for the same diseases that your current flock has 

been tested for. 

If you purchase poultry in person, check for signs of good 

health and approximate age. Do not purchase birds that appear 

old or unhealthy. If you purchase by mail order, make sure that 

baby chicks have been vaccinated. Check which vaccines are 

needed in your area based on past disease outbreaks and 

compare that to which vaccines the hatchery has administered. 

Doctor Wood, please review how this principle applies for 

commercial growers.

DR. WOOD: This NPIP principle works the same way for 

commercial growers as it does with backyard poultry. Only add 
replacement poultry from health monitored flocks that are in 

compliance with the NPIP regulations and perform standards. 

When looking for replacement poultry on the NPIP program, you 

can request a copy of the hatchery or source farm's biosecurity 

protocols. Back to you, Andy.

ANDY SCHNEIDER: When you bring new birds home, 

quarantine the new additions for 30 days. Check for sneezing, 

coughing, nasal drainage, swollen eyes, mites, lice, and other 

health issues daily.

This includes birds that you purchase from hatcheries or ones 

that you buy at fares or shows.

After new birds are combined with your existing flock, check 

the original stock daily for any signs of illness. The stress of 

adding new birds to an existing flock can bring on an underlying 

illness you never knew they had. To prevent bullying, add young 

poultry or started poultry to your existing flock when they are all 

about the same size.

Be sure to clean and disinfect tools, cages, and any other 

equipment used for transport. Doctor Wood, please describe 

how new birds should be brought into commercial farms.

DR. WOOD: Always transport replacement poultry in 

equipment and vehicles that are regularly cleaned, disinfected 

and inspected. Make sure adequate biosecurity protocols are in 

place for equipment and personnel involved with moving 
replacement poultry. The tractor trailer carrying the birds should 

follow premises entry biosecurity protocols when entering the 

farm. Anyone loading or delivering poultry should wear site 

specific clothing. Same for anyone loading poultry cages in their 

trailer. All should wear site specific clothing or should not enter 

the line of separation, known as the LOS, that separates the 

poultry from unclean areas.

Minimize the risk of disease by making sure that people 

transporting birds in cages from the truck to the poultry house 

wear clean clothing and foot wear, use a dedicated foot bath if 

available, and or remain outside of the line of separation.

Empty cages should be disposed of in a safe manner or 

returned to the trailer and then cleaned and disinfected before 

taken to another site. Andy, I will turn it back over to you.

ANDY SCHNEIDER: Doctor, Doctor Wood, warmer weather 

requires special attention to biosecurity for all poultry owners with 

migratory season, chick season, and show season, your flock is 

more vulnerable to disease and extra precautions are important. 

First, pay attention to wild birds, rodents and pests, keep these 

away from your flocks with proper end closures. Make sure your 

poultry house or coop receives regular and thorough cleaning and 

disinfecting. Clean up spilled feed or spent litter as quick 

whether I as possible. Make sure you wash hands and provide 

boot covers which is preferred, or scrub your boots before and 
after entering a poultry area. Designate special clothing for 

poultry care. Clean and disinfect tires and equipment before 

moving on or off the property. Do not borrow tools or equipment 

and make sure you properly care for eggs.

Practicing with biosecurity every day is the key to healthy 

flocks. To summarize our main points so far: Always purchase 

birds from an NPIP participating hatchery. Separate any newly 

purchased birds for at least 30 days and watch the flocks for signs 

of illness when they are united.

Know the signs of disease and report them immediately. 

Disease outbreaks among poultry are devastating. Protecting 

the health and safety of our nation's poultry must be a top priority 

for all flock owners. In addition to the many people across the 

country who now raise birds in their backyards, the US poultry 

industry is one of the largest in the world and an important sector 

of our agricultural economy. If US poultry are exposed to highly 

contagious diseases, like highly pathogenic avian influenza, 

HPAI, and Virulent Newcastle Disease, the impact on our 

economy can be severe and even international trade can be 

impacted. Doctor Quinn, can you talk more about the importance 

of biosecurity practice?

DR. QUINN: Absolutely. Biosecurity essentially means 

protecting or safeguarding life. It involves using common sense 

practices to protect your poultry and birds from all types of 
disease agents, viruses, bacteria, funguses or parasites, doing 

everything possible to protect your birds from infectious diseases, 

like Virulent Newcastle Disease and avian influenza. Preventing 

disease causing germs from entering your or leaving your 

premises, and spreading to your neighbors. We saw how quickly 

disease spread and the impact it had on backyard and 

commercial poultry with the avian influenza outbreak in 2014 and 

2015, and with the current Virulent Newcastle Disease in 

California. Implementing stronger biosecurity practices that 

encompass structural barriers and good biosecurity operating 

procedures are essential to protecting your flock as well as your 

neighbor's flock. And remember to be effective, follow your 

biosecurity practices every day, every time.

It's always important to know the signs of illness and report 

them immediately in order to prevent your flock from spreading 

disease.

Extra vigilance is especially required whenever you introduce 

new poultry to your flock.

Knowing the signs of disease can aid in getting quick, proper 

care for your birds and reduce any bacteria or disease spread. 

When checking your birds, look for the following signs: A sudden 

increase in bird deaths in your flock; sneezing, gasping for air or 

nasal discharge; watery and green diarrhea; a lack of energy and 

poor appetite; a drop in egg production or soft or thin shelled 
misshapen eggs. And building a relationship with your 

veterinarian can help you maintain a healthy flock. There are 

several immediate steps you must take if you suspect disease in 

your flock: First, immediately quarantine any birds that show 

signs of illness. Second, call your vet, APHIS or state officials 

when you see unexplained symptoms or illness. The APHIS 

number is shown on this slide. 1-866-536-7593.

If you are a commercial grower, follow your company's 

guidance for disease in your operation. I will turn it back over to 

you, Andy, to review the resources available to help growers 

practice good biosecurity this spring and throughout the year.

ANDY SCHNEIDER: Thanks, Joanna. The APHIS Defend 

the Flock website has six checklists including a new list for 

handling replacement poultry as well as those for cleaning and 

disinfecting, proper practices for personnel, vehicles, equipment, 

as well as avoiding wild birds, rodents, pests, information that is 

especially important for spring. At the APHIS Defend the Flock 

website, you can also access a “know your numbers” card. This 

is a handy place to keep all the phone numbers for your local vet, 

extension service, and the USDA toll free hot line, videos and 

other resources.

This spring APHIS is introducing an E newsletter to keep you

up to date about best practices in biosecurity as well as tips and 

resources. Through the newsletter, you will also get to meet the 
veterinarians and other professionals at APHIS who help us keep 

the nation's flocks safe from disease.

To sign up for the newsletter, go to the URL shown here. 

Click on the red envelope on the upper right of the APHIS home 

page. Click on the plus sign next to veterinary services to open 

the topic list. You will also be prompted to choose the type of 

subscription that you want and enter your e-mail address. Click 

the box within the newsletter from the drop down menu. You will 

also have the option to sign up for other newsletters as well.

Now, I would like to turn the presentation over to Doctor 

Nichols to take us through some of the resources available 

through CDC and talk about human and bird health.

DR. NICHOLS: Thank you, Andy. Owning backyard poultry 

can be a great opportunity to learn more about where our food, 

such as eggs and meat comes from. It is important to keep both 

your backyard flock and your family healthy if you own poultry.

Salmonella is a germ that poultry can carry in their gut and 

still appear healthy and clean. However, this germ can cause 

people to get sick. CDC estimates that over 1 million people get 

sick with Salmonella every year.

Poultry might have Salmonella germs in their droppings and 

on their bodies, including their feathers, feet, and beaks, even 

when they appear healthy and clean. These germs can get on 

cages, coops, feed and water dishes, hay, plants and soil where 
the birds live and roam. Germs can also get on the hands your 

recollection shoes, and clothes of people who handle or care for 

birds. People who have contact with items can get sick without 

actually touching one of the birds.

Children younger than five years, adults older than 65, and 

people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a 

serious illness from Salmonella. Since 2000, there have been 76 

Salmonella outbreaks, this includes 51,288 illnesses, 950 

hospitalizations and seven deaths. This is why it's so important 

to always watch your hands with soap and water right after 

touching poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. 

Adults should supervise hand washing by young children, and if 

so much and water are not readily available, we recommend you 

use hand sanitizer.

Another important tip is that you don't want to let poultry 

inside the house, especially in areas where food or drink is 

prepared, served, or stored. You can also set aside a pair of 

shoes to wear while taking care of poultry and keep those shoes 

outside of your house. Stay outdoors when cleaning any 

equipment or materials that are used to raise or care for poultry, 

such as cages or feed or water containers. And don't eat or drink 

in the area where birds live or roam.

Don't kiss your birds. We recommend that you don't kiss your 

birds or snuggle them or touch them to your face or mouth 
because of the risk of Salmonella. Households with young 

children, adults over the age of 65, or people with weakened 

immune systems need to carefully consider the risk of Salmonella 

infection before purchasing poultry to start a backyard flock. 

When having backyard poultry and collecting eggs, it's important 

to remember the five C's: First, keep the coop clean. You want 

to maintain a clean coop. Cleaning the coop floor, nests, 

perches, egg boxes, and doing so on a regular basis will help 

keep any eggs clean. Next you want to collect eggs often. 

Eggs that spend a significant amount of time in the nest can 

become dirty or break, and cracked eggs should be thrown away. 

Next, clean eggs with fine sand paper, a brush, or a cloth. Don't 

wash eggs because colder water can pull bacteria into the inside 

of the egg.

Cool eggs by refrigerating them after cleaning them, and cook 

eggs thoroughly. Raw or under cooked eggs can contain 

Salmonella bacteria that can make you sick.

If you are looking for additional information, we have some on 

the CDC website, including info graphics that can be printed. 

Back over to you, Andy.

ANDY SCHNEIDER: Thank you, Megin. You can find the 

new home for the USDA APHIS Defend the Flock public 

education program at 

APHIS.USDA.GOV/animalhealth/defendtheflock. Be sure to 
check out more helpful information on our social media channels. 

If you are an educator involved with young organizations or 

programs, or looking for training materials, we would love to share 

our come pain with you. Contact us via social media or through 

the website. This presentation along with answers and questions 

will be available for download from the Defend the Flock website 

in the next week or so. Be sure to follow Defend the Flock on 

FaceBook and Twitter to be notified when the presentation is 

available. And use the hash tag DefendtheFlock when sharing or 

posting information to help us spread the word. There are lots of 

resources available to make sure you practice good biosecurity. 

Every time, every day. Here are the publications where you can 

find more information about the things we have discussed today.

You can also find organizations in your state and community 

that can help you keep your birds, your farm, and your bird loving 

family safe and healthy.

And before we go, we would like to thank USDA APHIS and 

the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for hosting this 

webinar. On behalf of my co-hosts, Doctor Chrislyn Wood and 

Doctor Joanna Quinn of USDA, APHIS, and Doctor Megin Nichols 

from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and me, 

Andy Schneider, the Chicken Whisperer, thank you for joining us 

and let's keep our poultry healthy together!